https://unix.stackexchange.com/question … le-and-why

"you must install grub to the bootable partition"

but am not sure were the truth lies on these matters.

you could always try to install first doing the "automatic partitioning"  , and see what changes the partitioner proposes;
and then make the changes you desire if you so like;

Partition #1: Formatted with FAT32, use as EFI System Partition, bootable: off, size: 1GB

Partition #2: No existing file system was detected, use as ext4 journaling file system, mount point: /, mount options: defaults, label: none, reserved blocks: 5%, typical usage: standard, bootable: off, size: 989GB

Partition #3: No existing file system was detected, use as swap area, bootable: off, size: 34GB

The install always fails during/shortly after partitioning.

For kapqa, the 3rd party option mentioned in your link is not in my BIOS. I did do a Secure Wipe and tried again with the desktop install (assuming that is what your were referring to). Still no dice. Same error and also the installer usually fails to "detect and mount installation media" once or twice each time now, requiring me to try that step again.

I am a little worried this issue may somehow be with my SSD itself. I found a similar post where the user had to trash the drive and get a new one: https://www.linuxquestions.org/question … 175665606/

And well, SSDs were a lot cheaper in 2019 than they are now

Please tell us your work sequence and where the problem finally appears.

https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobi … re_PCs.pdf

tend to download the full devuan iso instead of netinstsall.iso ; it is usually the faster method, provided you have good internet connection; but it should not change your outcome; where netiinst can fail, the full iso could succeed ().
also, automaticl installation for a newcomer should suffice; but to be honest, even after 10+ years of linux use,
have not really understood the mannual partition or how it is done properly;
things seem to change; once there was a big swap, then a small , now it is even done without swap;
then there is the other option lvm-manager etc;

but if you had windows first and want just linux, would go into bios and "safe-delete" the nvme first,
plus eventually delete the secureboot-keys, but it should not be necessary.
good luck + tidiings in your favour.

What kind of HW are we talking about? Brand of the laptop and the NVME would be interesting.

I haven't used the 6.1.1 netinstall myself yet, maybe I give it a try in a VM when I have a bit of time.

"Attempt to mount a file system with type ext4 in /dev/nvme0n1p3 at / failed."

If you want to use hibernation, make it a bit bigger that the size of the RAM. In old times the saying was twice the RAM, nowadays 1,1 x size of RAM is fine. Your best option is to delete the ext4 partition, first of all create the swap, and then use the rest for /.

The installer is telling me to make a SWP partition as well. How large should I make that one?

Strangely enough, when I go into BIOS the USB shows up twice but booting the first one brings up the installer (haven't tried the second).

UEFI boards do that. If you boot the one without a note/prefix/postfix saying its efi or uefi then you boot the installer in legacy mode. And if you have a brand new laptop it will be uefi only.

Make sure you boot the install stick in UEFI mode.

The easiest way is to use the installer during partitioning, and to write a new GPT to the drive. That makes sure the old stuff is deleted. There is nothing in the bios that could do that.

Then you first create a 1024MiB large partition, assign it to be ESP, and the rest is done by the installer.

Next you create a whatever you like large partition for /, ext4 as file system and mount point /.

Take a read on the webpage I already mentioned, there is a installtion instruction with pictures. But as far as I know it just describes the auto mode. Manual partitioning isn't mentioned in there. Its a bit arkward.

For my BIOS settings, I already disabled Secure Boot but didn't mention it in my first post. The "Absolute" tracking system is to my understanding a feature that helps you get the physical location of your PC if you lost it. I didn't have the relevant software so I saw no reason to keep it enabled.

Now in terms of the EFI/UEFI/legacy stuff, I am not very familiar with those so I might need some more help. I can confirm BIOS is listing my USB as UEFI. My BIOS doesn't have a CSM option. I suppose my PC is UEFI only.

Last thing: to my understanding I should be all clear to fully wipe the drive and try again? Theres an option to do that right in BIOS I just dont want to mess anything up. Also, should I go for manual instead of auto partitioning? One of you mentioned making a 1024 MB partition for ESP.